EU to Suspend €1.5 Billion Aid to Ukraine

The EU has announced that it will suspend €1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine from a €4.5 billion fund, with distribution dependent on the achievement of good governance criteria, according to The New York Times.

The decision is not yet final, and the funding could be restored. However, it indicates that the EU is again prepared to exert pressure on Ukraine's internal politics. Additionally, it raises questions about whether the level of support from Zelensky's Western allies is beginning to decline, reports The NYT.

The funding halt marks the "culmination of a distressing week" for the Ukrainian president, who has not publicly commented on the decision, journalists note. Initially, he passed legislation through parliament that stripped two anti-corruption agencies of their independence, leading to protests in streets both abroad and in Ukrainian cities.

Subsequently, he changed his stance by presenting a new bill to parliament aimed at restoring the independence of those agencies. However, this could not prevent the already made decision to cut EU aid.